Download Festival 2018 – Sunday review

Sunday is pretty much the goth day on Main Stage and in true irony, the sun is blaring down on the hottest day of the festival. First up are Sun Arcana on the Dogtooth Stage. An early start and a hungover crowd are won over by the energetic quartet. Tom’s vocals are absolutely breathtaking. The […]

Sunday is pretty much the goth day on Main Stage and in true irony, the sun is blaring down on the hottest day of the festival.

First up are Sun Arcana on the Dogtooth Stage. An early start and a hungover crowd are won over by the energetic quartet. Tom’s vocals are absolutely breathtaking. The set is extra special for drummer Ryan who is also celebrating his birthday, to which he is briefly serenaded by the crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday.

Cradle Of Filth were not on the best of form on main stage, however as the sun blared down on the stage, In This Moment redeem the stage’s reputation. Although the aesthetic of their show would better suit one of the tents, the sheer performance definitely fits well on Main Stage. Frontwoman Maria Brink has the charisma and stage presence of a scream queen and pop-star all in one with multiple costume changes and routines. The captivating set features Ded frontman Joe Cotela providing guest vocals for Black Wedding and ended with what is now Maria’s infamous inspirational speech before belting out closer and fan-favourite Whore to a huge sing-a-long from the crowd.

Throughout the entirety of Black Veil Brides’ Main Stage set, there are technical issues with frontman Andy Biersack’s microphone, at times making it virtually impossible to hear his impressive vocals over the instrumentation. Issues aside, the set is full of riffs and tight screams, with Andy taking to the crowd during Wake Up to share vocal duties with the fans. The aforementioned track is the only one from latest album The Outsider to feature in a set that is fit for a festival, full of old hits including The Legacy, Coffin, Fallen Angels, Rebel Love Song and first ever single Knives And Pens. There are huge sing-a-longs throughout the set and Andy captivates the crowd like a true showman. The same can be said for his bandmates, making the most of the huge stage and engaging the crowd.

Shinedown make most of their slot on the Main Stage with what is aimless chatter between songs, trying to get the Sunday afternoon audience making friends with the people next to them. Musically though, they sound great and show off an impressive talent with their brand of rock.

Over on the Zippo Encore stage, Meshuggah captivate their huge audience with technical prowess and thumping riffs, while over on the Avalanche stage, A are joined on bass by McFly and INK.’s bassist Dougie Poynter to provide bad jokes. Luckily the jokes do not reflect the set, which is tight and entertaining.

Back on Main Stage and we have the God of Filth Marilyn Manson who reveals “it’s utter daylight, the opposite to our lives”, to which the entire crowd wholeheartedly agree. All black ensembles and blazing sunshine do not work well. Manson is back on form following his leg break, however he could have learnt a thing or two about creating a festival setlist from Black Veil Brides as two notable absentees from the set Personal Jesus and Tainted Love were sorely missed as they would have helped to include those in the crowd who may not be a part of the Manson fan club. Dani Filth joins the party as does a lucky fan who gets pulled up on stage during Kill4me.

Elizabeth Birt

June 22, 2018

Band management assistant. Goth princess and lover of all things music and sport.

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